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Synthetic Lubricants Derived from Plastic Waste and their Tribological Performance
Summary
Researchers converted pre- and post-consumer polyolefin plastic waste into high-quality synthetic lubricants, demonstrating tribological performance comparable to premium polyalphaolefin base oils and a 44% reduction in wear compared to petroleum-based Group III mineral oil. Life cycle and economic analyses confirmed the process is both energetically efficient and commercially viable, offering a novel pathway for plastic waste upcycling.
The energy efficiency, mechanical durability, and environmental compatibility of all moving machine components rely heavily on advanced lubricants for smooth and safe operation. Herein an alternative family of high-quality liquid (HQL) lubricants was derived by the catalytic conversion of pre- and post-consumer polyolefin waste. The plastic-derived lubricants performed comparably to synthetic base oils such as polyalphaolefins (PAOs), both with a wear scar volume (WSV) of 7.5×10-5 mm-3 . HQLs also performed superior to petroleum-based lubricants such as Group III mineral oil with a WSV of 1.7×10-4 mm-3 , showcasing a 44 % reduction in wear. Furthermore, a synergistic reduction in friction and wear was observed when combining the upcycled plastic lubricant with synthetic oils. Life cycle and techno-economic analyses also showed this process to be energetically efficient and economically feasible. This novel technology offers a cost-effective opportunity to reduce the harmful environmental impact of plastic waste on our planet and to save energy through reduction of friction and wear-related degradations in transportation applications akin to synthetic oils.